ALAMEDA

While the winter holidays are a joy-filled season for many, for some they can be a stressful and lonely time, leading to anxiety, depression, substance abuse and domestic violence.

Alameda’s domestic violence rates increased dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic, remain high and often increase with holiday stress. Domestic violence impacts the entire community, and we can all be part of the solution.

If you are or think you may be experiencing domestic violence or any other form of gender-based violence — including dating violence, sexual assault, sexual exploitation or stalking — please know that you are not alone. In an emergency, always call 911.

The following resources are confidential, free and available 24/7. You can contact them without giving your name. You can call just to explore your options, even if you’re not sure what you need or whether you want help right now: Building Futures is at 866-A-WAY-OUT (866-292-9688) and the Family Violence Law Center is at 800-947-8301.

If you or someone you know are experiencing episodes of anxiety and depression and need someone to talk to, help is available from the Crisis Support Services hotline at 800-309-2131 and National Suicide Prevention at 988 or 800-273-8255. These hotlines are available all day, every day. A list of additional community support services is available online from the city of Alameda at bayareane.ws/alamedawhotocall.

— city of Alameda

School district hires new director of elementary education

Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) Superintendent Pasquale Scuderi announced at the district’s Dec. 13 Board of Education meeting that Tanya Harris, a former AUSD principal, will step into the role of director of elementary education in January.

Harris, who was Otis Elementary School’s principal from 2016 to 2022, has a strong background in elementary education and early child development and is deeply committed to providing access to high-quality educational experiences for all learners. As a manager, she is dedicated to leading collaboratively and creatively and providing meaningful professional development.

Before joining the Otis team, Harris directed the Emeryville Child Development Center. She also worked in the Leadership, Curriculum and Instruction Department of the Oakland Unified School District and managed that district’s implementation of its transitional kindergarten program.

Most recently she worked as a lead trainer with the 21st Century School Leader Academy based at UC Berkeley. There she designed and planned equity-focused professional development for California educators and helped design coursework to support preschool through third grade.

Harris received her BA in Psychology from CSU Long Beach, her teaching credential from Holy Names College, and her master of arts degree and administrative credential from UC Berkeley.

“I am excited for this opportunity to focus on our elementary and early childhood education with AUSD and to support the district’s commitment to equity and providing high-quality instruction beginning in our youngest grades,” Harris said. “I have long enjoyed relationships with the other elementary principals in this district, and I am eager to deepen and strengthen those relationships in my new role.”

— AUSD

Hornet’s New Year’s Eve gala fundraiser to last till 1 a.m.

USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum officials and staff will ring in the new year Dec. 31 with their annual New Year’s Eve party, the Hornet’s largest fundraising event of the year.

The party will be from 7:30 p.m (doors open at 7:15 p.m.) till 1 a.m. and will feature 3 O’Clock Jump, an 18-member big band specializing in danceable jazz from the swing era and later. There will be multiple dance floors in the large, heated hangar bay, a countdown to midnight, food and drink concessions available for purchase, a silent auction and more. Black ties are optional, and plenty of free parking will be available.

— USS Hornet

Apply by Dec. 31 for Kiwanis Foundation community grants

In celebration of its 100th anniversary of service to the community, the Alameda Kiwanis Foundation encourages nonprofit organizations serving Alameda to apply for its community grants, which will be awarded in early February.

Mail your application to: Alameda Kiwanis Foundation, P.O. Box 1217, Alameda CA 94501. The application period is open and will close on Dec. 31, by which date applications must be postmarked and complete. Information and application forms can be found at alamedakiwanis.org.

— Patricia Bowen

Students can apply by Jan. 14 for $5K Van Sickle Scholarship

Applications are now open for the $5,000 Ken and Shirley Van Sickle Scholarship.

This college scholarship is open to graduating seniors who live in Alameda and attend one of its public high schools. Selection is based on a combination of academic achievement, leadership ability and financial need.

The scholarship is named in honor of Ken and Shirley Van Sickle, two distinguished educators who devoted many years to the education of Alameda’s students. Now in its 36th year, the scholarship was established by their son, Keith, a 1976 Alameda High School alumnus who later earned degrees at Stanford and Harvard.

Last year the scholarship was awarded to David Velasquez of the Alameda Community Learning Center. Now a freshman at San Jose State University, Velasquez is studying business. The deadline for applications is Jan. 14. Application forms are available from each high school’s counseling office. For more details, email ckvansickle@gmail.com.

— Keith Van Sickle

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